Soccer in the Streets Receives 2017 Urban Soccer Symposium Innovation Award from U.S. Soccer Foundation
Soccer in the Streets today announced it has been awarded the 2017 Urban Soccer Symposium Innovation Award from the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the national model for sports-based youth development programs in underserved communities. This award is given to Soccer in the Streets for imaginative tactics and original programming to create positive social change in underserved communities.
The award to the metro area non-profit was presented during the Urban Soccer Symposium for its innovative success with 'Station Soccer'
Soccer in the Streets today announced it has been awarded the 2017 Urban Soccer Symposium Innovation Award from the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the national model for sports-based youth development programs in underserved communities. This award is given to Soccer in the Streets for imaginative tactics and original programming to create positive social change in underserved communities.
Digital assets of 'Station Soccer' found here.
“We are both proud and honored to receive this award for changing youth soccer paradigms,” said Soccer in the Streets' Executive Director, Phil Hill. “Our organization is committed to Atlanta’s kids and finding innovative ways to help them achieve success. Bringing access and leveling the playing field are two important pillars to our overall youth development program.”
Soccer in the Streets received the 2017 Innovation Award for utilizing imaginative tactics and original programming to create positive change in underserved communities. The metro area non-profit received the award for its work to launch 'Station Soccer Club Program’, an initiative that brings soccer to urban areas in Atlanta by developing a network of mini soccer fields and program sites clustered inside or around transportation hubs. Through the program, children play at the station and use it to connect with other communities across the city. After the initial pilot is completed this spring, Soccer in the Streets plans to expand the network to ten Station Soccer Club Programs (completed over the next three years) to create the first ever public transit-based soccer league.
Thanks to a grant awarded by the Atlanta United Foundation, and a key partnership with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Soccer in the Streets launched 'Station Soccer' and its club program concept in October 2016. Since its first youth program kicked off, 'Station Soccer' has worked with more than 1,000 children, delivered over 60 sessions and hosted several community soccer engagements. Before 'Station Soccer', Soccer in the Streets was already providing upwards of 4,500 children with after school soccer-based educational programs in 2016 alone. Soccer in the Streets also runs pay-to-play adult leagues at 'Station Soccer', providing a source for developmental youth coaching and generating funds for their free youth programming.
This award is a part of the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Urban Soccer Symposium Awards that recognize and honor the exceptional achievements of organizations and individuals in the sports-based youth development community.
“We are proud to present the inaugural Urban Soccer Symposium Innovation Award to Soccer in the Streets, for their exceptional achievements in the sports-based youth development community,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “Through this award we are excited to highlight some of the best practices in the field and recognize meaningful change that sport is having in communities across the country.”
The award was presented during the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s 2017 Urban Soccer Symposium, the nation’s premier event where executive directors, mentors and program administrators learn and exchange best practices in the use of soccer as vehicle for youth development.
Don Garber: "We Look Forward to Seeing More of the Mini-Pitches Throughout Metropolitan Atlanta."
Last Tuesday was a special day for Soccer in the Streets. After all, it is not every day that you are able to showcase to Major League Soccer (MLS) the most innovative soccer project in America.
Major League Soccer Commissioner provides glowing reviews during visit of ‘Station Soccer’, the first pitch in the world built inside a metro station
ATLANTA (Apr. 13, 2017) – Last Tuesday was a special day for Soccer in the Streets. After all, it is not every day that you are able to showcase to Major League Soccer (MLS) the most innovative soccer project in America. Prior to participating in the launch ceremony of their new training grounds, Atlanta United’s brass – led by president Darren Eales – and MLS Commissioner, Don Garber, visited ‘Station Soccer’, the newest project of Soccer in the Streets.
“We’re proud to get our unique message out to everyone in soccer and it doesn’t get much higher than MLS,” said Soccer In The Streets’ Executive Director, Phil Hill. “If we can bring new opportunities to kids who need it, then we can create positive social change. Who knows what will happen if some of the kids at the station start dreaming about playing in the pro league?”
During his visit, Garber gave raving reviews of the forward thinking shown by Soccer in the Streets. "We look forward to seeing more of the mini-pitches throughout metropolitan Atlanta," said Garber via his official twitter account.
The MLS Commissioner and Darren Eales were greeted by players engaged in one of the many pick up sessions hosted by Soccer in the Streets at Station Soccer.
The Winning Goal for Atlanta’s Youth
At Soccer in the Streets, it’s about more than just the game. The fundamentals of the sport are important, but so are the building blocks of the player. Pairing the two to teach the essentials of soccer while also fostering the personal development of the individual, the nonprofit works with undeserved youth to foster a love of the game, all while teaching important life skills.
At Soccer in the Streets, it’s about more than just the game. The fundamentals of the sport are important, but so are the building blocks of the player. Pairing the two to teach the essentials of soccer while also fostering the personal development of the individual, the nonprofit works with undeserved youth to foster a love of the game, all while teaching important life skills.
Started more than 25 years ago, Soccer in the Streets saw a need to bring kids off the streets and provide them with something constructive to do. Capitalizing on the U.S. World Cup, the organization started promoting soccer to communities that typically didn’t know much about the sport.
Soccer in the Streets works with youth of all ages, starting their programming for students in elementary school, in hopes of getting kids excited about soccer at a young age. Their Positive Choice Soccer program works with these players, helping them learn how to play, but also encouraging their character and good behavior. In this program, ten life skills are matched with ten soccer skills, and are used to reinforce how to make good choices. The program encourages them to resolve problems in a peaceful and positive way, which can be easily demonstrated with soccer—working in teams, playing hard but fair, and respecting the players and the referees.
“We train them in soccer, but also try to be a positive influence in their lives,” Soccer in the Streets Executive Director Phil Hill said.
As they get older, players can take part in the Life Works curriculum of the organization, competing in the sport while also learning about opportunities for employment and economic independence. Soccer in the Streets also offers one-day clinics and tournaments for participants to further practice their skills that they have learned for both on and off the field.
While working with Atlanta’s youth, Soccer in the Streets is also making history, facilitating the world’s first soccer field in a transit station. After convincing the city of the idea, and getting the Atlanta United MLS team on board, they funded the field with local partners, and have helped solve the biggest issues for the kids they serve—a lack of transportation or a way to get to their practices and games. Currently in its pilot phase, there are plans to replicate the field in nine more MARTA stations.
With the increased popularity of the sport, Soccer in the Streets has experienced communities receptive to their mission. To continue their work, and make the most of the growing interest, they host four fundraising soccer events every year, bucking the trend of the traditional stuffy, black tie sit-down events. Players and teams can sign up to play, and raise money to compete. Throughout the year, teams play in these events, which include country-affiliated and corporate-based teams. These tournaments are competitive, and raise the necessary funds for the Soccer in the Streets programming.
The fun, everybody-can-play event takes place in October. The Black Tie Soccer Game brings together players dressed in black tie and ball gowns! To learn more about how to participate in one of these events, or to volunteer with Soccer in the Streets, visit www.soccerstreets.org.
Listen to the full episode, here.
Interview aired on the Good Works Radio Show 106.7 FM.